US forces utilized helicopters to intercept the flagless “MT DAVINA” oil tanker as it navigated the Indian Ocean. The vessel, which has a capacity of up to 2 million barrels of crude oil, was added to the US sanctions list in October 2024. According to the US Indo-Pacific Command, the raid is part of ongoing maritime law enforcement operations to dismantle illegal networks providing material support to Iran. Military officials emphasized that sanctioned actors will not be allowed to use international waters as a shield for their activities. This interception follows a broader pattern in recent months of US forces stopping numerous commercial and oil vessels in the region.